The Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare tumor of neuroendocrine and epidermal origin and with poor prognosis. It is classically associated with immunosuppression, exposure to the sunlight and, more recently, with the polyomavirus. It is positive for epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. The combined expression of these markers confirms the diagnosis. Polyomavirus tumors have an unfavorable prognosis. The authors report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma with atypical immunophenotype (CK20 negative) and aggressive behavior. The present report is aimed at highlighting the importance of dermatologists having knowledge of different immunophenotypes that may be associated with the Merkel cell carcinoma.

Keywords: CARCINOMA, MERKEL CELL; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; MERKEL CELL POLYOMAVIRUS

Lower lip squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) correspond to 20-30% of all oral cavity cancers. It mainly affects men over 50 years of age who have previous history of smoking, alcoholism and exposure to the sunlight. The diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by histological analysis. The present paper describes a case of a patient with a SCC affecting more than 1/3 of the lower lip, who underwent resection of the primary lesion and a conservative reconstruction of the lesion’s region, due to the great local mobility, aimed at preserving the functionality without compromising the aesthetic outcome.

Keywords: Carcinoma, squamous cell; Mouth neoplasms; Reconstruction